Quote:
Originally Posted by bravotwozero
I don't know about running, but walking barefoot, or using shoes that do nothing more than simply cover your feet, is probably the best thing you can do. Your feet have gone through thousands of years of evolution to become the perfect shock absorbers.
Researchers (at Johns Hopkins I believe) found that people who used more expensive brands of running shoes with more cushioning actually were MORE likely to suffer from knee injuries! The problem is that well cushioned shoes impair your body's proprioception (position sense), which makes it difficult to determine how much force to use when landing on your foot at the end of each stride. As a result, many people end up landing on their feet with too much force, making them vulnerable to injuries.
There's a really good article I once read on the issue, I'll try and see if I can dig it up.
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yea, i just read (probably) the same article.
How We're Wrecking Our Feet With Every Step We Take -- New York Magazine
the article highlights some research that's shown there's actually LESS impact on your knees if you run/walk barefoot than otherwise. and cheaper shoes (less padding) are apparently better as well?
i've always gotten terrible aches in my calves and ankles when i run on a treadmill, so i've usually avoided it. i still get them when i run outside, but not nearly as bad. yesterday, i tried running without shoes on the treadmill -- wow. only aches i got were workout related, alh. i was able to run and walk for much longer than normal before my feet started to hurt. i think i'll keep it up?
i was just curious how much evidence there was the for shoes = better thing. generally, i don't like to change up some habits based on an article, but i haven't done much research (reading) on the matter myself -- the personal experience of working out without shoes once kinda clinched it for me -- for now (until i get to look into it a bit more)